Robert David Miller

Robert David Miller
August 19,1932 to January 30, 2018

Our wonderful and beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather. A man with a ready smile and playful wit, he radiated warmth and goodwill, and unfailingly treated others with kindness and respect. A great storyteller of his show business adventures during his years behind the scenes at venues such as the Casino Theatre, the Syria Mosque and the Civic Arena. Bob passed away with loving family members at his side at Providence Point in Scott Township, one day after he and his wife Carol celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary, following a hard-fought battle with leukemia.

Born in Beechview to Max and Mary Miller, Bob grew up across from the original Beth El synagogue where he had his bar mitzvah, and near St. Catherine's where he played ball with the students and priest. When he was young his father became ill, and he quickly developed a sense of responsibility that shaped the remainder of his life. After graduating from South Hills High School in 1950, he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh where he received his Bachelor's degree in Business and Labor Relations in 1959. He interrupted his college studies to enlist in the Army, receiving military intelligence training in Massachusetts and serving with the Army Security Agency in Arlington, Virginia, where he worked as a cryptographer. While visiting family in Brooklyn, he met Carol Curtis, who became the love of his life. After their wedding in 1956, Bob and Carol started their married life together in Pittsburgh.
Bob's backstage career began at age 19, when he was offered work as a stagehand at the Syria Mosque, which led to work at most major theaters in Pittsburgh. As secretary and business agent for the stagehands union, IATSE Local 3, Bob managed the backstage operations and lighting for the symphony and ballet, and rock & roll acts ranging from the Beatles, to Janis Joplin, to the Backstreet Boys. Bob's gift for getting along with people served him well in negotiating the demands of the talent, management, and labor. Bob started his own company, Flexitrol Lighting, early in his career, first running it out of his home, and later moving it to Carnegie. He considered himself a "theatrical social worker," helping many non-profit schools and churches stage their productions, as well as providing lighting services for events such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival and Kaufmann's fashion shows.

Throughout Bob's adult life, he enjoyed travel adventures of all kinds. Camping trips up and down the east coast were a family tradition, and he and Carol continued tent camping into their 80s. They also travelled abroad frequently, reaching six continents over the years, with a Mekong Delta River trip being their final international adventure.

His last eight years were spent at Providence Point, where he continued working at Flexitrol, and embraced a life of new friends, and activities such water volleyball, theater, and serving on the resident council.

In addition to wife Carol, Bob is survived by: his brother Harris (Donna) Miller; brother-in-law George Curtis; sister-in-law Linda Passin (George Vrahnos); daughters Gerri (Ted Buckner) Miller, Raleigh, NC; Marlene (Elliott) Mandel, Arlington, VA; Faye (Diane Pittman) Miller, Pittsburgh; and grandchildren Jordan Mandel, Maia Mandel, Eliana Buckner, Joel Buckner and Christian Carter. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Pomerantz and brother, Jacob Isaac (Jim) Miller. After a private family ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, a celebration of his life will be announced in the spring. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Baptist Homes Foundation, 489 Castle Shannon Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15234. Funds in Bob's memory will be earmarked for Jewish cultural activities at Providence Point.